A man accused of the 1984 fatal stabbing of a Safi woman today denied committing the crime and said he had only admitted his involvement to the police in return for cigarettes and a meal.

Salvatore Mangion stands charged with the murder of Rosina Zammit, 54, who was killed after being stabbed some 40 times in her home.

Mr Mangion told the trial by jury that he had given a statement to the police admitting admitted to the crime because Inspector Chris Pullicino had promised him cigarettes, eggs and chips.

He insisted that he had not murdered Rosina Zammit and what was in the statement was only what the police told him to say.

He only knew the name of the victim and where she lived because Inspector Pullicino had told him. He had also not known she was stabbed many times.

"It is all lies," Mangion said with reference to the statement.

"The only thing I did was to sign it."

Asked by the prosecution whether he was actually prepared to face criminal proceedings just for some cigarettes and chips he replied "yes".

The trial started yesterday when Inspector Pullicino gave his evidence.

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